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SOMERS, N.Y. Attention, video buffs, the latest release from Somers local student production company, Straight Sixes, is now available on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.
This 10-minute video is a shoot-em-up called Extraction Point, written and directed by film student Simon OKeefe and produced by his friend Jon Dunstan. The video stars OKeefe and Dunstan in leading roles, supported by local talent Dan Bergman, Lucas Kane, and Jake and Angelo Letizia. Camera work is by Briana Adams, who will start a film program at Emerson College in the fall.
We filmed entirely in Somers, in a wedge of property between Lovell and Primrose streets, behind The Willows, O'Keefe said. Filming takes a lot longer than youd think. It took us 13 hours to put together a 10-minute video. We didnt actually film for 13 hours, but we were on the site that long.
OKeefe is studying television and film arts at Buffalo State College, with a minor in acting. Extraction Point is his first production after finishing his freshman year, though he feels it does not meet his highest standards.
It has three acts, but aside from that it doesnt relate much to what Ive learned in film school, O'Keefe said. Its experimental. Mindless bloodshed we had to get off our chests.
OKeefes next project, titled Lionels Frag, will also be shot in Somers.
Itll probably take us as long as Extraction Point, but itll be more legitimate, he said. Its a typical three-act story with characters and a memorable theme. Its mainly about a boy searching for acceptance from his girlfriends parents.
If all goes well, he hopes to submit it to the SUNY Film Festival in early September.
What is his latest advice for young film students?
Be unique, grasp peoples attention. Its also OK to take from other filmmakers. Look who Woody Allen has stolen from: Billy Wilder, the Marx Brothers, Ingmar Bergman. When I steal from Woody, I steal from all of them as well.
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